Humidifier



Jan. 3, w. D CA v HUMIDIFIER Filed Oct. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

WILL/AM D. CARTEQ, BY Maw ATTORNEYS.

Patented 3, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca WILLIAM DOUGLAB CAB-TEE, OFCALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR '10 CO3 POBATION, 01' NEW YORK, 11'. Y A.CORPORATION 01' DELAWARE HUMIDIIIEB Application fled October 22, 1930.Serial No. 590,882.

15 revious devices constant conditionscan only maintained by constantregulation of the motor speed or by keeping the level of the liquidconstant, which latter expedient however requires the use of a floatmechanism or a storage tank in addition to the reservoir from which theliquid is drawn by thepump. An object of this invention is to evaporatea constant amount of liquid in machines of this character irrespectiveof the quantity as of liquid in the reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a high degree ofatomization with a minimum rotational speed so as to promote quietness,avoid balancing difliculties, and increase the life of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an efiicient andsilently operating.

humidifying device simple in construction and economic of manufacture.

The humidifier to which the invention is applicable consists essentiallyof a vessel for containin the liquid to be atomized, a pump for drawlngliquid from the reservoir, and means associated therewith for impartinga rapid whirling motion to the liquid and forcing it at high velocityagainst baflling means,

which atomizes the liquid, producing a fine spray. Means are alsoprovided for drawing a1r into the device, routing it through the sprayregion where it serves as a vehicle to transport the atomized particlesof water into the atmosphere.

A feature of this invention resides in the means for imparting a highvelocity to the liquid as it is thrown against the atomizin w I means,consisting of a pair of closely spaced integrally rotating discs havingconcentricallfy arranged corrugations which function to orce the liquidin intimate contact with the rotating discs so that as it leaves thediscs it has substantially the peripheral speed thereof.

Another feature of the invention resides in means for maintaining aconstant head of water for supplying the rotating discs regardless ofthe level of the water in the reservoir.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing stationary feedingmeans for supplying liquid to a rotating disc substantially uniformlyover its entire surface.

Still another feature of the invention resides in means for preventingslippage in the means for pumping liquid from the reservoir.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means for dischargingthe atomized water or mist into the atmosphere, which comprisesessentially means defining a space above the operating parts of thehumidifier. Within the space so defined, baflles are arranged whichprevent the air from leaving the humidifier with a swirling motion.Other means are also provided within this space for trapping coarsedrops of moisture which are too large to be readily conveyed by the airvehicle.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in thefollowing detail description of a preferred embodiment of the inventionand will be in part obvious.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter 90 set forth and the scopeof the application which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference is had to the complete description and to thedrawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a humidifierinvolving the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 showingcertain details of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a detail of the fan element.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicatecorresponding elements, a vessel or container 10 is shown in which thehumidifier assembly rests supported by suitable means as for instancethe legs 11. The bottom of the container 10 also serves as a reservoirfor the liquid 12 which is to be atomized. The humidifier assemblycomprises a container 13 having upwardly extending walls 14 and bottom15, the latter having an opening 16 therein, the purpose of which willbe hereafter described.

Positioned within the container 13 is an element 17 for supporting themoving parts of the humidifier which in this instance has beenillustrated as a cast spider having its legs 18 resting upon the bottomof the container 13. Mounted upon the spider 17 is an electricallydriven motor 19, to the shaft 20 of which a hub member 21 is fixedlysccured by suitable means as for instance a nu 22 and washer 23.Positioned co-axially with respect to the motor shaft is pump element 24which extends downwardly into the liquid 12. Pump element 24 preferablyconsists of thin metal tubing which is frictionally retained in a seat25 provided for that purpose in the hub 21. The lower end of the tube 24is partially enclosed by a collar 26 havin an a erture 27 for theadmission of liquid. A metallic strip 28 preferably perforated andslightly twisted is placed within the" pump element 24 for a purposewhich will be hereafter described. Small ducts 29 and 30 are drilled inthe hub member 21 pro viding communicating passageways to an auxiliaryreservoir. These ducts diverge so that centrifugal force due to rotationcauses the liquid to rise therein. This reservoir is formed in part byan annular trough having an inner wall 31 co-axially positioned withrespect to the hub member and having sufficient clearance so as not tointerfere with the rotation thereof' The outer wall 32 of the troughmember has flanges 33 by means of which it is mounted on the spider 17.The bottom of the trough is arranged in a series of annular recesses 34and Against the wall of the outer recess 34 is a circular partition 36which is the outer wall of the auxiliary reservoir. The upper edge ofpartition 36 has a lip 37 which forms a weir to permit the liquid fromthe reservoir to overflow into the compartment 38 without danger of itbuilding up beyond the partition 36. Within the area defined by thepartition 36 is an impact ring 39 suitably mounted on the spider 17 andextending below the surface 0 the liquid into the auxiliary reservoir.This ring has an inwardly extending flange 40 upon which rests a battlecomposed of a zigzag strip of metal screening 41. The overflow chamber38 has an outlet 42 which communicates with the chamber 13 which latteralso has a duct 48 returning to the main reservoir. In the bottom of therecess 35 is an aperture 44 through which water may be fed to therotating disc 45. The flow of liquid through this aperture may becontrolled and for this purpose a valve is provided which may consist ofa plunger 47 and a spring member 48. A set screw 49 presses against theplunger 47 opposing the resiliency of the spring 48 so that by means ofa thumb screw 50 suitably mounted adjacent the top of the motor 19 andconnected to the set screw by the flexible shaft 51., the position ofthe plunger and consequently the opening of the aperture 44 may beregulated.

The hub member 21 is provided with a flange 52 upon which disc 45 andthe fan 53 are mounted for rotation. For simplicity in manufacture andassembly, the disc and fan may be mounted upon the flange 52 by means ofbolts 54.

A second disc 46 is spaced slightly apart from disc 45 but is mountedfor integral rotation by suitable means as, for .instance, rivets 55 andspacing elements 56. These discs have concentrically arrangedcorrugations corresponding to each other so that the distance betweenthe discs 'is substantially constant throughout the entire extent oftheir surfaces. The disc 46 at its inner edge is spaced apart from thedisc 45 and has an opening 57 sufliciently large to provide clearancefor the lower recess 35 of the auxiliary reservoir and also large enoughto admit the flow of a quantity of air therethrough.

Positioned about the periphery of the r0- tating discs 45 and 46 andspaced slightly apart therefrom is a row of tines or baffles 58 againstwhich liquid thrown from the rotating discs may impinge. These bafflesmay be of any desired type and may be fastened in position on thedownwardly extending legs of the spider 17.-

T he upper edge of the container 14 is provided with a circular seat 59upon which rests a hood 60 having an aperture 61 at the top for theemission of air and mist. In order to insure that the mist emittedthrough the aperture 61 rises in a vertical direction, a series ofbaflles 62 has been provided in the compartment defined by the hood 60,which bafiles substantially decrease the tendency of the mist to whirland thereby permit it to reach a suflicient height to become absorbed inthe atmosphere before it can fall to the floor. These baflles may bemounted in any suitable manner but in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, they are fastened to the hood member 60 and extend radiallyinwardly toward the motor 19.

A circular rib element 63 is positioned adjacent the top of the hoodmember and serves to prevent large drops of moisture from being blownalong the inside surface of the hood and emitted from the humidifier.

In order to exclude foreign matter and to prevent'swirling of the liquid12 in the main reservoir, a screen element 64 surrounding pump 24 isprovided. To lend strength to this screen element, the upper edgethereof may be bordered by a funnel shaped element 65 which is in turnfastened to the bottom plate 15 of the humidifier assembly. The element65 is spaced apart from the bottom plate by means of separators 66 sothat no interferences if offered to the flow of air through the aperture16 in the base 15. Also to prevent seriously overloading the motor whichwould result if the water level in the reservoir should be inadvertentlypermitted to extend up around the form 53, an overflow aperture 67 isprovided in the wall of the container 10 through which the water willoverflow if the proper level is exceeded.

In conjunction with the overflow 17 there has been provided anindicating device which comprises a bar 68 pivoted preferably to thecontainer 10 at 69. This bar may be in the form of a hoop following thecontour of the container 10 and pivoted at opposite sides thereof.Attached to the bar 68 adjacent the overflow aperture is a plate 70 uponwhich suitable graduations may be etched indicating various liquidlevels which, by way of suggestion, may be empty, 1; full, full, fulland full. These graduations may be viewed through the aperture 67 whichthus serves the dual purpose of an overflow and an observation window. Afloat 71 is mounted on the bar 68 diametrically opposite to theindicating plate 70 which rises and falls with the liquid level,actuating the indicator. The movement of the indicator 70 may be madeany fraction of the movement of the float 71 by placing the pivot 69nearer the indicating plate, which expedient permits the use of a smallplate element.

Quietness of operation .is obtained by insulating all bearing surfaceswhich are not fixedly secured as, for instance, by rubber pads 72 at thefoot of the legs 11, pads 73 and 74 where the spider 17 andlegs 11 comein contact with the base 15 of the container 13 and rubber cushioningmeans 7 5 Where the hood 60 bears upon the seat 59 of the container 13.

. In operation, a suitable amount of liquid is placed in the humidifierreservoir by pouring the same between the space provided between thewall of the container 10 and the hood 60. The proper level of coursewill be outwardly toward the wall 14 where it is diverted upwardly andout of the aperture 61. At the same time liquid is drawn within the pump24 through the aperture 27. It builds up in the pump 24 due tocentrifugal force, passes up through the ducts 29 and 30 in the hubmember 21 and is projected outwardly against the bafile 39 in the upperauxiliary reservoir. The twisted screen element 28 functions to preventslippage of the liquid in the tube 24 thereby enabling the liquid to bebrought up to speed quickly. The screen bafiles 41 supported by theimpact ring 39 reduce the tendency of the liquid to swirl, due to itstangential velocity on leaving the ducts 29 and 30 so that the liquidfalling into the auxiliary reservoir is comparatively quiet. Thiseliminates turbulence around the orifice 44 and at the overflow lip 37so that a constant head is maintained over orifice 44 substantiallyregardless of the amount of liquid pumped.

As the motor 19 is usually a constant speed motor, the amount of liquidraised by the pump 24 depends upon the level of the liquid 12. In orderthat a perfect control of the atomization may be had, the pump isdesigned so that with the valve 47 completely open and the minimumquantity of liquid in the main reservoir, an amount of liquid is pumpedwhich is just suflicient to cause overflow into the compartment 38. Thisensures a constant head of liquid to supply the rotating discs 45 and 46since under any other conditions, namely, when a greater amount ofliquid is in the main reservoir or when the valve 47 is partiallyclosed, more liquid will overflow over the lip 37 into the compartment38. The overflow liquid passes out through the overflow duct 42 into thecontainer 13 where it is returned via the duct 43 to the main reservoir.The station orifice feed 44, positioned over the rotating disc 45,permits liquid to be fed uniformly over the surface of the disc, acondition which would not exist if the orifice feed itself wererotating.

The valve 47 is adjusted by means of the thumb screw 50 until thecondition is obtained which will provide sufficient liquid forevaporation to satisfy proper conditions of humidity. The liquid fromthe reservoir flows through the aperture 57 onto the disc 45. Thecentrifugal speed imparted to the liquid due to the rotation of the discurges the liquid outwardly between the discs 45 and 46 until 58 and.broke'ii it reaches their eri heries where it, is hurled withconsiderage orce against the baflies up into a very fine mist. Thetortuous path fwhich the liquid must follow in its travel to the outeredges of the discs by virtue of the corrugations therein'permits themost intimate frictional contact between the liquid and the discswhereby the liquid, when it is hurled from the ed es of the discs, hashad imparted thereto su stantially the peripheral speed of the latter.This permits a comparatively low speedmotor to be employed, whichpromotes quietness, avoids balancing difiiculties, and increases thelife of the machine. In order that an adequate amount of air be suppliedto the compartment defined by the bafiie 39 so as to permit the freeflowing of the liquid from the auxiliary reservoir, an air passage 76around the motor shaft is rovided through which air may flow. Air is aso aspirated through the openng 57 in the upper disc and also from theupper compartment 39 through the clearance space between the wall 31 ofthe auxiliary reservoir and the hub 21 which air picks up a considerableamount of moisture due to its intimate confinement with the liquid as itpasses between the rotating discs. This air in a particularly humidstate combines with the main body of air flowing through the humidifier.This main body of air passes through and is intimately contacted withthe mist surrounding the bafiies 58. The fine particles of moisture areentrained in the air which acts as a vehicle to project the fine mosture particles into the room. The baffles 62 diminish an tendency ofthe air to swirl so that as it leaves the humidifier through theaperture 61, it is projected perpendicularly upward to a height which issuffic ent to cause complete difiusion and evaporation of the entrainedmoisture into the surrounding atmosphere.

Since':e1'tain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying idrawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. A liquid atomizing device comprising a main reservoir for liquid, anauxiliary reservoir, means comprising a pump extending with n the mainreservoir for conducting liquid therefrom to the auxiliary reservoir,said pump comprising a tube extending within the main reservoir havingmeans therein for preventing slippage between the liquid and the tube, arotating disc adapted to receive liquid from said auxiliary reservoir,

.means positioned adjacent the periphery of said disc whereby liquidreceived therefrom is broken up into a mist, and means for r'outing gasthrough said mist and discharging it from said device. I

2. A liquid atomizing device comprising a. main reservoir for liquid, anauxiliary reservoir, means comprising a pump extending within the mainreservoir for conducting liquid therefrom to the auxiliary reservoir,said pump comprising a tube extending within the main reservoir,perforated means extending longitudinally of said tube for preventingslippage between the liquid and said tube, a rotating disc adapted toreceive liquid from said auxiliary reservoir, means positioned adjacentthe periphery of said disc whereby liquid received therefrom is brokenup into a mist, and means for routing gas through said mist anddischarging it from said device.

3. A liquid atomizing device comprising a main reservoir for liquid, anauxiliary reservoir, means for conducting liquid from said mainreservoir to said auxiliary reservoir, a plurality of discs mounted inspaced relation below said auxiliary reservoir and adapted for integralrotation, means for feed ing liquid from said auxiliary reservoir to thespace between said discs, means positioned adjacent the peripheries ofsaid discs whereby li uid received therefrom is broken up into a finemist, and means for routing gas through said mist and discharging itfrom said device.

4. A liquid atomizing device comprising a main reservoir for liquid, anauxiliary reservoir, means for conducting liquid from said mainreservoir to said auxiliary reservoir, a plurality of corrugated discsmounted in spaced relation below said auxiliary reservoir and adaptedfor integral rotation, means for feeding liquid from said auxiliaryreservoir to the space between said discs, means positioned adjacent theperipheries of said discs whereby liquid received therefrom is broken upinto a fine mist, and means for routing gas through said mist anddischarging it from said device.

5. A-liquid atomizing device comprising a main reservoir for liquid, anauxiliary reservoir, means for conducting liquid from said mainreservoir to said auxiliary reservoir, a plurality of discs mounted inspaced relation and adapted for integral rotation, the upper of saiddiscs having an aperture communicating with the space between saiddiscs, means for feeding li uid from said auxiliary reservoir throughsaid aperture to the space between said discs, means positioned adjacentthe peripheriesof said discs whereby liquid received therefrom is brokenup into a fine mist, and means for routing gas through said mist anddischarging it from said device.

6. A liquid atomizing device comprising a source of liquid, rotatingmeans adapted to receive liquid and discharge the same therefromradially outwardly, an auxiliary reservoir, means for supplying liquidfrom said source to said auxiliary reservoir to maintain a constant headin the same, and means controlling the flow of liquid from saidauxiliary reservoir to said rotating means.

7. A liquid atomizing device comprising a source of liquid rotatingmeans adapted to receive liquid and discharge the same therefromradially outwardly, an auxiliary reservoir, means for supplying liquidfrom said source to said auxiliary reservoir to maintain a constant headin the same, said means comprising an overflow, and means controllingthe flow of liquid from said auxiliary reservoir to said rotating means.

8. A liquid atomizing device comprising a source of liquid, rotatingmeans adapted to receive liquid and discharge the same therefromradially outwardly, an auxiliary reservoir, means for supplying liquidfrom said source to said auxiliary reservoir to maintain said auxiliaryreservoir constantl overflowing, means controlling the flow 0 liquidfrom said auxiliary reservoir to said rotating means, and means fordisposing of said liquid overflow.

9. A portable humidifier comprising a vessel acting as a reservoir, acompartment within said vessel having an air inlet and an air outlet,means within said compartment for creating a mist, a fan for drawing airwithin said compartment through a path defined by the walls of saidvessel and the wall of said compartment and routing it through said mistwhereby said air entrains moisture, and bafiie means also within saidcompartment for preventing swirling of said air as it is discharged fromsaid outlet.

10. A portable humidifier comprising a. vessel acting as a liquidcontainer, a compartment positioned within said vesselin spaced relationwith the wall thereof and above said liquid, said compartment havinganair inlet in its base and an air outlet at its top, a motor mountedwithin said compartment, a pump adapted to be driven by said motorextending through said air, inlet into the liquid in said reservoir, anauxiliary reservoir positioned within said compartment in communicationwith said pump, a pair of discs mountedin spaced relation and adapted tobe rotated by said motor, a valve for regulating the flow of liquid fromsaid auxiliar reservoir to the space between said discs, ba fiesarranged about the peripheries of said discs for creating a fine mist ofthe liquid discharged therefrom, a fan also driven by said motor fordrawing air through said inlet and routing it through the mist thus produced whereby moisture is entrained and discharging the moisture ladenair through said outlet, and baffies also mounted in said

